Highland Coast Hotels grows portfolio with Plockton Inn acquisition

Highland Coast Hotels has bought the Plockton Inn in the Lochalsh, Wester Ross area, to add to its growing collection, with plans to substantially refurbish the property.

The Plockton Inn will retain its name and become part of the Highland Coast Hotels Collection, joining the Kylesku hotel, Newton Lodge, Unapool, the Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch and the Royal Marine Hotel Brora.

As with its other hotels, the company plans to set up a community liaison group in Plockton to act as a forum for locals to give feedback on development plans. There will also be additional training and development opportunities for staff and wage increases in line with its new accreditation as a Scottish Living Wage Employer.

Highland Coast Hotels chairman David Whiteford said: "With a clear focus on working closely with the local communities around our properties, and investing back into the local economy, we very much hope we can add even further value to the hotel and the surrounding area. We will continue to operate the hotel on a year-round basis, and expect to create further permanent employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly through our support of local producers and activity providers

"While it's early days, we have exciting plans for the hotel which we anticipate will undergo a substantial refurbishment this coming winter.''

Highland Coast Hotels chief executive Roddy Watt added: "As someone who was brought up in a hotel on the west coast at Ballachulish, I am thrilled to be involved in another wonderful hotel in this beautiful part of the world. I very much look forward to meeting the many members of the local community and to working with all to support the Plockton Inn on the next stage of its journey of excellence.''

Kenny Gollan, former owner of the Plockton Inn, said: "After 25 years of ownership of the Plockton Inn, Mary, Susan and I are very sad to be handing over our wonderful hotel after all these years. It has been a source of huge satisfaction and pride to us, and we will be forever grateful for the unstinting support we have received from the local community, and our many regular guests from further afield."

Pictured from left: David Whiteford, chairman, Highland Coast Hotels, and Susan Trowbridge, Kenny Gollan and Mary Gollan, previous owners of the hotel